Timing data recording device

Abstract

A timing data recording device that prevents imprinting of incorrect timing data on a recording medium, such as a film loaded in a camera. The timing data recording device operates by power supply voltage from a detachable battery. When the battery of the timing data recording device is changed, a flag is automatically set so that imprinting of timing data on the film is inhibited. While this flag is set, there is no recording of incorrect timing data on the film. Moreover, when the battery is changed, until a data correction mode has been performed in order to correct the date and time, the flag remains set such that imprinting is inhibited. Thus, a user of the camera does not forget to reset the date and time after a battery change. Furthermore, the data correction mode is set only in the case that the usual select switch is actuated continuously for a predetermined time. In contrast to this, when the select switch is actuated after a battery change, the data correction mode is immediately set, so that timing data correction is facilitated and the device is easy to use.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A timing data recording device, comprising: 
 a timing device that outputs timing data which changes according to time;    a changing device which changes the timing data into indicated other data;    a reset device that changes the timing data to predetermined initial data;    a recording device which records on a recording medium at least a portion of the timing data which was output from the timing device; and    a recording control device that inhibits the recording of the timing data to the recording medium during an interval from changing the timing data to the initial data by using the reset device until the timing data is changed by using the changing device.    
     
     
         2 . A timing data recording device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a predetermined operating member, which is actuated when the recording control device inhibits the recording of the timing data, and which continues to be actuated for more than a predetermined time when the recording control device does not inhibit the recording of the timing data; and 
 a change permission device that permits the changing of the time data by using the changing device.    
     
     
         3 . A timing data recording device according to  claim 1 , wherein the timing device outputs a plurality of the timing data, said timing data including at least time data and date data.  
     
     
         4 . A timing data recording device according to  claim 2 , wherein the timing device outputs a plurality of the timing data, said timing data including at least time data and date data.  
     
     
         5 . A timing data recording device according to  claim 3 , further comprising a display device, which can display some of the plurality of timing data which has been output; and 
 a display control device, wherein when the operating member is actuated for only a time shorter than the predetermined time, and when the recording control device does not inhibit the recording of the timing data, the display control device converts the plurality of timing data displayed by the display device.    
     
     
         6 . A timing data recording device according to  claim 4 , further comprising a display device, which can display some of the plurality of timing data which has been output; and 
 a display control device, wherein when the operating member is actuated for only a time shorter than the predetermined time and when the recording control device does not inhibit the recording of the timing data, the display control device converts the plurality of timing data displayed by the display device.    
     
     
         7 . A timing data recording device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a detachable power supply device that powers the timing device with a power supply voltage; and 
 wherein the reset device, at least during detachment of the power supply device, sets the timing data timed by using the timing device to the predetermined initial data.    
     
     
         8 . A timing data recording device according to  claim 2 , further comprising a detachable power supply device that powers the timing device with a power supply voltage; and 
 wherein the reset device, at least during detachment of the power supply device, sets the timing data timed by using the timing device to the predetermined initial data.    
     
     
         9 . A timing data recording device according to  claim 3 , further comprising a detachable power supply device that powers the timing device with a power supply voltage; and 
 wherein the reset device, at least during detachment of the power supply device, sets the timing data timed by using the timing device to the predetermined initial data.    
     
     
         10 . A timing data recording device according to  claim 4 , further comprising a detachable power supply device that powers the timing device with a power supply voltage; and 
 wherein the reset device, at least during detachment of the power supply device, sets the timing data timed by using the timing device to the predetermined initial data.    
     
     
         11 . A timing data recording device according to  claim 5 , further comprising a detachable power supply device that powers the timing device with a power supply voltage; and 
 wherein the reset device, at least during detachment of the power supply device, sets the timing data timed by using the timing device to the predetermined initial data.    
     
     
         12 . A timing data recording device according to  claim 6 , further comprising a detachable power supply device that powers the timing device with a power supply voltage; and 
 wherein the reset device, at least during detachment of the power supply device, sets the timing data timed by using the timing device to the predetermined initial data.    
     
     
         13 . A timing data recording device according to  claim 1 , wherein the recording medium is a film; and 
 wherein the recording device, after converting the timing data to magnetic data, records it on the film.    
     
     
         14 . A timing data recording device comprising: 
 a timing device that outputs timing data;    a recording device that records at least a part of the timing data on a recording medium;    an inhibiting device that inhibits the recording of the timing data onto the recording medium; and    an ensuring device that ensures the timing data is not improperly printed on the recording medium.    
     
     
         15 . A timing data recording device as claimed in  claim 14 , further comprising a CPU, and wherein the inhibiting device and the ensuring device includes a data recording process run by the CPU.  
     
     
         16 . A timing data recording device as claimed in  claim 14 , further comprising a changing device that changes the timing data into a different format.  
     
     
         17 . A timing data recording device as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein said recording device is a magnetic head and a magnetic head drive circuit.  
     
     
         18 . A timing data recording device as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein said recording device is an LED and an LED drive circuit.  
     
     
         19 . A method of printing correct timing data on a recording medium, said method comprising the steps of: 
 generating timing data using a timing device;    inhibiting the recording of timing data to a recording medium during a period from changing the timing data to predetermined initial data to changing the timing data into indicated other data; and    recording the indicated other data onto the recording medium.